Benny Gantz - Israel's next army chief

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak confirmed this weekend that Maj.-Gen. Benny Gantz will be the IDF’s next chief of staff.

Barak and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were forced to withdraw the appointment of Gen. Yoav Galant as the next chief of staff amid a land-grab scandal that revealed Galant had illegally seized state-owned land adjacent to his personal property.

Gantz had until recently served as deputy chief of staff under outgoing Chief of Staff Gen. Gabi Ashenazi.

Gantz is described by his peers as laid back, but not lacking a fire to defend himself and the army when the need arises. He is also widely regarded as the IDF’s most experienced officer, having served as the commanding officer of no fewer than five different divisions over the past decade or so.

When it comes to defending Israel, Gantz was called “a man of action.”

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